Going on Faith: Celebrating a shining example — Fred Rogers

The Rev. Dr. Randy K. Hammer/Special to the Oak Ridger

Monday

May 21, 2018 at 3:45 PM

I stopped by the local Post Office a couple of months ago to purchase stamps; but not just any stamps. I went in search of particular stamps — 80 Mister Rogers commemorative stamps — that had just been released.

I stopped by the local Post Office a couple of months ago to purchase stamps; but not just any stamps. I went in search of particular stamps — 80 Mister Rogers commemorative stamps — that had just been released.

Now, I grew up before “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” debuted on PBS. But my kids watched him. This year is the 50th anniversary of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” going national; hence, the commemorative stamp. A documentary movie is set to be released this summer about Fred Rogers.

When the Post Office clerk seemed a bit surprised that I was purchasing so many Mister Rogers stamps, I explained that I am an admirer of Rogers and his work. In essence I said, “How today’s world needs more Fred Rogers!”

Rogers was a Presbyterian minister, ordained to the unique calling of ministry to children through media. His wife, Joanne, relates that “he began each day with prayers for a legion of family and friends and, in general, for the peacemakers of the world. Reading the Bible was also part of this early morning routine. … He worked hard at being the best he could be.” And he worked hard “at being other-oriented (not self-centered).”

Rogers received honorary degrees from more than 40 colleges and universities, and in 2002 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

But most noteworthy, Fred Rogers is worthy of remembrance because he mirrored the teachings and example of Jesus of showing respect for children for the special individuals that they are.

Rogers taught us the importance of listening — really listening — to children. His wife notes that Fred was always a good listener for as long as she knew him. And Fred himself said, “The purpose of life is to listen — to yourself, to your neighbor, to your world and to God and, when the time comes, to respond in as helpful a way as you can find … from within and without … listening is one of the most important things we can do for one another. Whether the other be an adult or a child, our engagement in listening to who that person is can often be our greatest gift.”

And when Fred Rogers talked to children, he talked on their level. He didn’t talk down to children, and he didn’t talk up to children; he talked to them on their level. Such is something that is not that easy to do. And some of us may wish we had done it more with our own children.

Fred Rogers let children know — regardless of their race, nationality, differences, physical or mental challenges, or ethnicity — that he liked each one just as he or she was. As one of Rogers’ admirers says, “When someone looks you in the eye ... and tells you that ‘I like you just the way you are,’ it’s very powerful.”

It can be life-changing, in fact. Where do we see such in our country and world today?

I shudder when I think of the influences upon our children today: violent television shows; violent, female-degrading, misogynistic video games; loud, violent music — it makes me cringe.

And also when I think of the role models that are influencing our kids and grandkids — especially among national and world leaders — and the disrespect for women and minorities, and the name calling and reputation smearing, it makes me shudder. When our children hear the news and the way that our leaders lie, curse, call each other derogatory names, and so on, what can we expect of them as they become teenagers and adults?

I have to repeat what I said to the Post Office clerk: How the world needs more Fred Rogers and less of the examples and role models that are influencing and shaping today’s kids!

Fred Rogers set a shining example of what it means to be authentically human and an authentic follower of the teachings of Jesus. I would like to hope that each of us might strive to be as open, respectful, kind, and affirming as Fred Rogers was in his life and work. It is a matter of faith.

The Rev. Dr. Randy K. Hammer is minister of the United Church, Chapel on the Hill, of Oak Ridge, and the author of several books, including “52 Ways to Ignite Your Congregation.”

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